ORONO -- Dean Astumian, a physics professor at the University of Maine at Orono has received a Humboldt Research Award, one of the most prestigious scientific honors in Germany.

Astumian will receive a cash award of 60,000 euros, or about $77,000, and is invited to conduct research in Germany. He plans to spend the summer and next fall in the laboratories of the three scientists who nominated him: professors Hermann Gaub, Dieter Braun, and Dr. Kay Gottschalk, of Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich, Germany.

In addition to the recent award, Astumian is internationally recognized for his theoretical work on fundamental aspects of nanotechnology.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards the prize to a distinguished foreign scholar in recognition of their lifetime academic achievements.

Each year, the foundation recognizes to up to 100 internationally renowned scientists and scholars.

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